Carol Gutoski Ditkoff, a 1967 Albertus Magnus graduate, and her husband, James, donated $3 million to the college, the school recently announced. This gift, which the school says is its "largest outright gift in Albertus' 100-year history," will be fully funding a partnership with Dreamscape Learn to bring virtual reality-enabled learning to campus.
"This partnership represents an extraordinary, exciting leap forward — through cutting edge, virtual reality immersive learning, we deepen our commitment to providing each and every Albertus student with valuable experiential learning opportunities," Albertus President Marc M. Camille said in a statement. "All of us at Albertus are profoundly grateful to Carol and James Ditkoff for their affirmation of the value and impact of an Albertus education, and so, too, for their transformative gift that will impact generations of students to come."
Dreamscape Learn merges teaching "with immersive technology and the emotional power of cinematic storytelling to transport students to extraordinary worlds where they step into the role of scientists, explorers and investigators," according to the announcement. "From investigating alien ecosystems to solving complex biological problems, students engage in hands-on learning in core disciplines that build critical thinking and transferable skills."
Josh Reibel, chief executive officer of Dreamscape Learn, said, "If students are going to persist and succeed in rigorous courses that prepare them for what comes next, curriculum needs to excite them and motivate them to do the work. By integrating cinematic, immersive learning into core subjects, the college is recognizing that delivering truly engaging programming is the first step toward students developing the critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration skills they will need for success in school and career. As the first institution in New England to adopt this approach, Albertus is setting a clear example for institutions across the region."
The space that will house the Dreamescape Learn immersive classroom will be named the Carol G. Diktoff '67 Immersive Learning Collaboratory as a way to recognize "the Ditkoffs' generosity," the announcement says. This classroom will be located in a newly renovated wing of the Hubert Campus Center.
The classroom also will have a free-roam pod and the school's existing Esports lab. Construction will conclude this summer and the virtual reality-enabled coursework will launch in the fall for courses such as biology and expand into liberal arts subjects like art history.
"I believe education should have no limits," Carol Ditkoff said in a statement. "When we empower students to explore the farthest reaches of history, art, science and imagination — without walls or boundaries — we keep them excited and engaged with learning. My husband and I made this gift because we want every Albertus student to see not only what the world is, but what it can be."
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